Weed suppression and crop yield performance in sole and intercrops of common vetch and spring wheat depending on seed density ratio in organic farming

Common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) can be an alternative grain legume to faba beans, peas, lupins and soy beans due to its high grain protein content. As it is uncommon for grain use, cropping systems need to be developed. Weed infestation is a major problem in grain legume cultivation. Therefore, intercropping systems for common vetch which ensure a low level of weed infestation need to be designed. Thus, weed suppression of common vetch in a replacement series with spring wheat was examined in Northern Germany in the year 2018. It was the aim to define which seed density ratios will achieve the highest weed suppression, total and common vetch yield. Three harvests of crop and weed biomass and a grain harvest at full maturity were carried out in a field experiment with four replications. Weed nitrogen content was examined. Transmission of photosynthetically active radiation to weed canopy level was measured during the season. Yield and weed suppression of intercrops were analysed by different indices, and factors contributing to weed suppression were discussed. With increasing wheat ratio, weed biomass in intercrops decreased and less nitrogen was taken up by weeds. Less photosynthetically active radiation was available to weed canopy level during juvenile development in intercrops with higher wheat ratios, whereas more radiation was available to weeds in these intercrops in later stages. Higher total biomass and grain yield was achieved in intercrops compared to sole crops. The mean land equivalent ratio (LER) of all intercrops calculated from grain yield was 1.32. The index actual yield loss or gain (AYL) specified a mean actual yield gain of intercrops of 73% compared to sole crops. The competitive ratio (CR) revealed that wheat was more competitive compared to vetch. Wheat was responsible for the extra yield of intercrops. It can be concluded that common vetch can be successfully grown in intercrops with spring wheat. Effective weed suppression due to intercropping was possible when the vetch ratio was moderate. With high vetch ratios sufficient weed suppression cannot be achieved. Crop-weed competition for nitrogen and for light in the early growth stages determined weed growth in vetch-wheat intercrops.